Gamepad Tester & Stick Drift Checker
Connect any Xbox, PlayStation DualSense, Nintendo Switch, or PC controller via USB/Bluetooth. Inspect analog stick drift, deadzones, trigger pressure, and circularity error.
Hardware Signal Health
No controller connected yet. Connect an Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, or generic gamepad via USB/Bluetooth or click "Simulate Virtual Gamepad".
How to Diagnose & Fix Controller Stick Drift
Everything you need to know about potentiometer wear, Hall Effect sensors, and deadzone tuning.
What Causes Analog Stick Drift?
Traditional controllers use potentiometers where physical metal wiper prongs scrape against carbon resistive tracks. Over hundreds of hours, this friction scrapes off conductive dust, creating false resistance readings.
Potentiometers vs Hall Effect Sensors
Hall Effect and TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistive) joysticks use contactless magnetic field sensors. Because no physical surfaces touch, they eliminate friction wear and are practically immune to stick drift.
Understanding Circularity Error
Ideal controller sticks map a perfect circle ($\le 5\%$ error). Budget controllers or worn housings often produce square-capped responses ($\gt 15\%$ error), causing sudden sensitivity spikes on diagonal aiming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to browser security protocols, the HTML5 Gamepad API remains idle until you physically press any button on the controller while this webpage is focused. Ensure your browser has focus and tap A/Cross or a trigger.
1. Increase the in-game inner deadzone (e.g. from 0.03 to 0.08). 2. Use Steam Controller Calibration or Windows Game Controller Settings (joy.cpl). 3. Use electronic contact cleaner spray (WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner) into the analog stick ball-joint while rotating the stick.